TfL reported 8,112 reported customer injuries, 214 serious injures, and four fatalities last year.
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A 2022/23 annual TfL report found there were 8,112 reported customer injuries, 214 serious injures, and four fatalities.
Notably, this report extends beyond those on-board TfL links, encompassing pedestrians and cyclists.
John Murphy, Regional Officer of Unite the Union, voiced concerns during Tuesday’s panel, citing a “reluctance to specify the actual cause” and a “reluctance to take responsibility in TfL.”
Mr. Murphy attributed the elevated injury and death rates to factors such as fatigue, heat exhaustion due to non-functional air conditioning, and inadequate road infrastructure to accommodate new modes of transport such as e-scooters.
He also highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, saying that increasing bills force TfL drivers to work longer hours, contributing to heightened fatigue and consequently potential fatalities.
Tom Kearney, who was also on Tuesday’s panel, is the survivor of a near-fatal bus accident. He shared his experience from 2009 where he was struck by a bus wing mirror on Oxford Street, sending him 20 feet. His injuries resulted in a coma lasting a few weeks.
Despite initial expectations of his death from family and medical staff, Kearney survived and has emerged as a prominent campaigner for addressing injuries and deaths related to London buses.
‘I didn’t hear from any of the bus companies. Nothing. Zero.’
Reflecting on the aftermath of his accident, Kearney recounted: “When I was hit 14 years ago last month, I was in a coma for a couple of weeks, and then I woke up, and as I was coming conscious… I didn’t hear from any of the bus companies. Nothing. Zero.”
Mr Kearney’s personal ordeal prompted the launch of his campaign, #LondonBusWatch, functioning as a watchdog for bus accidents and providing crucial data. The campaign began with Kearney utilising freedom of information requests to TfL regarding the number of people killed and injured by London buses. One of the statistics featured on his blog, Safer Oxford Street, reports that in 2022 there were 9 deaths involving buses. This is almost double compared to the year prior.
“I kept seeing stories in the media about people being killed by buses and I was intrigued so I kept on searching for databases, information, who was keeping track of these things? Turns out no one was.”
TfL have yet to respond to our request for comment.
The London Assembly’s investigation is set to resume on November 30th for its second phase, with a comprehensive report expected to be published early next year.
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HeadlineLondon Assembly investigating TfL high death and injury cases
Short HeadlineAssembly investigating TfL death and injury cases
StandfirstThe London Assembly met on Tuesday to probe incidents of death and injury on and off London transport.
A 2022/23 annual TfL report found there were 8,112 reported customer injuries, 214 serious injures, and four fatalities.
Notably, this report extends beyond those on-board TfL links, encompassing pedestrians and cyclists.
John Murphy, Regional Officer of Unite the Union, voiced concerns during Tuesday’s panel, citing a “reluctance to specify the actual cause” and a “reluctance to take responsibility in TfL.”
Mr. Murphy attributed the elevated injury and death rates to factors such as fatigue, heat exhaustion due to non-functional air conditioning, and inadequate road infrastructure to accommodate new modes of transport such as e-scooters.
He also highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, saying that increasing bills force TfL drivers to work longer hours, contributing to heightened fatigue and consequently potential fatalities.
Tom Kearney, who was also on Tuesday’s panel, is the survivor of a near-fatal bus accident. He shared his experience from 2009 where he was struck by a bus wing mirror on Oxford Street, sending him 20 feet. His injuries resulted in a coma lasting a few weeks.
Despite initial expectations of his death from family and medical staff, Kearney survived and has emerged as a prominent campaigner for addressing injuries and deaths related to London buses.
‘I didn’t hear from any of the bus companies. Nothing. Zero.’
Reflecting on the aftermath of his accident, Kearney recounted: “When I was hit 14 years ago last month, I was in a coma for a couple of weeks, and then I woke up, and as I was coming conscious… I didn’t hear from any of the bus companies. Nothing. Zero.”
Mr Kearney’s personal ordeal prompted the launch of his campaign, #LondonBusWatch, functioning as a watchdog for bus accidents and providing crucial data. The campaign began with Kearney utilising freedom of information requests to TfL regarding the number of people killed and injured by London buses. One of the statistics featured on his blog, Safer Oxford Street, reports that in 2022 there were 9 deaths involving buses. This is almost double compared to the year prior.
“I kept seeing stories in the media about people being killed by buses and I was intrigued so I kept on searching for databases, information, who was keeping track of these things? Turns out no one was.”
TfL have yet to respond to our request for comment.
The London Assembly’s investigation is set to resume on November 30th for its second phase, with a comprehensive report expected to be published early next year.
